Amie Boal

Amie Boal is the Nicholas and Gelsa Pelick Family Chair in Science and holds dual professorships in the Department of Chemistry and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at The Pennsylvania State University. Her research focuses on understanding structural determinants of metalloenzyme function, with an emphasis on catalytic mechanisms and adaptive advantages of metal cofactors. She leads the Boal Group, which employs crystallographic and biochemical approaches to study reaction intermediates in enzymes involved in radical-based catalysis and C-H bond activation.

Education:

• Ph.D., Chemistry, California Institute of Technology, 2008
• B.A., Chemistry, Pomona College, 2002

Research Interests: The Boal Group investigates large metalloenzyme superfamilies to identify structural features dictating catalytic outcomes. Key areas include:

• Activation of strong chemical bonds (C-H, N-H, O-H)
• Redesign of enzymes for novel functions
• Comparative analysis of metallocofactor usage
• Crystallographic studies of reaction intermediates

Awards:

• Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award (2018)
• NIH Pathway to Independence Award (2012)

Labs & Teams: The Boal Group operates within the Eberly College of Science, focusing on interdisciplinary approaches combining structural biology, enzymology, and protein engineering. Current projects emphasize reprogramming metalloenzymes for biocatalytic applications.